Our District
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Welcome to the Career & Technical Education Department. We invite you to check out our page and learn about the technical programs we offer at Queen Creek High School. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email any of our staff.
Contact Information
Get to know our outstanding career and technical education teachers. Find out what makes them so passionate about what they do.
Lewis Brown
Culinary Instructor
FCCLA Advisor
lbrown@qcusd.org
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Lewis Brown
Culinary Instructor
About Me
I have worked as a full-time instructor for the nationally recognized Art Institutes in Silicon Valley. I have extensive culinary knowledge and years’ experience working in upscale restaurants and independently owned establishments, and therefore I bring a wealth of expertise to the school. In addition to my education, I held the position of executive chef in numerous establishments for over 15 years. I worked for Nordstrom’s Café as executive chef, and I opened a French Mediterranean bistro in Providence, Rhode Island. In addition, Meredith Ford featured me in the Providence Journal “Taste of Rhode Island.” Also, I completed 120 hours of educational studies allowing me to become a certified culinary educator for the American Culinary Federation. Through my many years of teaching, I earned a reputation of culinary excellence that fosters the growth of others in the industry. As chef, I develop student’s techniques to the highest levels of food quality and creativity in passionate food environment while fostering strong customer service skills.
Educational/Professional Background
Chef Lewis Brown is an esteemed graduate of the Johnson and Wales University with an associate degree in applied science in culinary arts, bachelor of science in culinary arts, and a master’s degree in food service education. Formally taught as a full time residential culinary instructor teaching Hot Foods II at Scottsdale Community College.
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Taryn Haight, RN
Medical Professions
HOSA Advisor
thaight@qcusd.org
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Taryn Haight, RN
Medical Professions
About Me
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Kim Holmes
CTE Administrative Assistant
P: (480) 987.5965
kholmes2@qcusd.org
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Kim Holmes
CTE Administrative Assistant
About Me
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Dr. Casey McKay, DAT, AT, ATC
Sports Medicine
cmckay@qcusd.org
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Dr. Casey McKay, DAT, AT, ATC
Sports Medicine
About Me
I was born and raised in Tucson, AZ, bear down! I moved away for college, had an amazing experience, and made some great friends. I spent my last Christmas break at home, and I met my fiancé, soon to be husband. Four years later, we now live in Gilbert and have four wild dogs. My favorite place to be is at the lake with my fiancé and dogs.
Educational/Professional Background
After I graduated from Sahuaro High School, I went to Pima Community College for a year to do some general education classes. A year later, I left Arizona and moved to Brookings, SD to attend South Dakota State University. I completed my bachelor of science in athletic training in 2014. I then moved back to Arizona to attend A.T. Still University in Mesa to get my post-professional master of athletics training. While a graduate student, I worked as the assistant athletics trainer at Sierra Linda High School. After completing that degree in 2016, for some crazy reason, I decided to keep going. I continued my education at ATSU and graduated in June 2018 with my doctorate of athletics training.
Prior to taking the position at Queen Creek High School, I worked for the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center at Barrow Neurological Institute. I oversaw all of the ImPACT testing for all AIA high schools in the state, gave concussion educational lectures, as well as helped create Barrow Brainbook. I loved educating, but missed the clinical side of athletics training. Now at Queen Creek High School, I teach sports medicine classes during the day and provide medical care for the athletics teams in the evenings. My position provides me the best of both worlds, and I look forward to being able to provide care and educate for many years to come!
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
I come from a long line of teachers, so education is very important to me. I think every child deserves a chance at a great education. As educators, we are teaching these children our respective topics, but we are also teaching them how to function in society and how to grow into adults. My goal is for each of my students to go into healthcare and increase their interest in sports medicine so I can be working next to them one day.
Tamma Murphy
Film & TV
Yearbook
tmurphy@qcusd.org
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Tamma Murphy
Film & TV
Yearbook
About Me
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Deidre Myers
Marketing Education
DECA Advisor
dmyers@qcusd.org
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Deidre Myers
Marketing Education
About Me
I was born and raised in Indiana and relocated to sunny Arizona in July of 2011. I am a very proud grandmother of three; one boy, and two identical twin girls. I enjoy painting, have a love for animals, and like soaking up the Arizona sun.
Educational/Professional Background
I earned my bachelor degree in business organizational management with a human resource endorsement from Indiana Wesleyan University. I completed my MBA at Benedictine University in Mesa, AZ. I substitute taught for grades k-12 until I entered the work force of higher private Christian education as a financial aid advisor and loan officer. Later, I transferred to the Teacher Education Department where I assisted students in preparing for and obtaining student teacher placements. Finally, I transitioned to the adult nursing program to manage the office staff, assist the department chair with accreditation, and secure clinical placements for the RNBSN students. I completed twelve years of service at the Indiana University before beginning employment with Queen Creek Unified School District.
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
It is with enthusiastic anticipation that I begin my fifth year of instruction in the CTE Department at Queen Creek High School (QCHS)! Go, Dawgs! I am teaching Marketing I, Marketing II, Marketing Lab (Spirit Store), and Marketing Internship. In addition, I am the QCHS DECA advisor. I am excited to continue to offer dual enrollment, which started in 2016-2017, through Chander Gilbert Community College. This is an amazing opportunity for QCHS marketing students! Prior to teaching, I worked as the QCHS registrar for three years.
In closure, I am beyond happy and feel very blessed for the opportunity to be in the classroom where I can teach and inspire the young men and women of the Queen Creek community.
Joshua Popham
Bioscience Instructor
Engineering Instructor
FIRST Robotics Sponsor
VEX Robotics Sponsor
jpopham@qcusd.org
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Joshua Popham
Bioscience Instructor
About Me
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Mauricio Ramirez
Graphic Design Education
Skills USA Advisor
mramirez@qcusd.org
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Mauricio Ramirez
Graphic Design Education
About Me
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Kimberly Rutherford
Early Childhood Education
FCCLA Advisor
krutherford@qcusd.org
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Kimberly Rutherford
Early Childhood Education
About Me
My name is Kim Rutherford, and I am excited to be joining the Bulldog family as the new early childhood teacher here at Queen Creek High School (QCHS). I am about to begin my 15th year of teaching. I have a bachelor's degree in early childhood special education from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and a master's degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University. I have taught in the Queen Creek school district for the past 10 years. I spent those 10 years at Queen Creek Elementary teaching kindergarten and 1st grade. Some of my first students here in Queen Creek are sophomores and freshmen this year, and I am excited to see them again!
I am originally from Chicago and am a huge Chicago Cubs fan. I have lived in Arizona since 2003. I have been married for almost 12 year now to my husband, Jake. We have three children, one daughter and two sons. We love to spend time as a family making new memories. We love to travel, especially to Disneyland and the beaches of California. I go back to see my family in Illinois at least once a year.
I am ready to start my adventure here at Queen Creek High School. I am excited to share my knowledge of education and child development with students and help direct and inform them of the career choices available to them. Walt Disney once said “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them!” I am looking forward to continuing to pursue my dreams here at QCHS as well as help my students pursue their dreams. Go, Bulldogs!
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Dr. Tiffannie Sechrist
CTE Director
P: (480) 987.5965
tsechrist@qcusd.org
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Dr. Tiffannie Sechrist
CTE Director
About Me
I landed in Arizona via Colorado, Texas, and North Carolina. If you detect a southern accent, it is because I spent most of my youth in Raleigh, NC. After teaching in Greensboro, NC for two years, I joined my parents here in 2002 and wed in 2010. My husband, Shad, and I have two beautiful children: Ryleigh (6) and Brennan (4). We live in Mesa.
On the weekends, you might see me at the Home Depot with my girls, attending various sporting events, or rushing from one birthday party to another. My little family loves to travel, spend time together, support our community, and cheer on the Bulldogs! I love being part of the Bulldog family!
Educational/Professional Background
Bachelors of science, double major in business and marketing education, minor in economics, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Masters of arts, education administration, and supervision, Arizona State University. Educational doctorate, educational leadership with superintendent certification, Arizona State University.
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Everyone probably has something in their background that shapes their future. My earliest memories of my grandpa were of his tools and incredible ability to work with his hands. The saying at my house was “Pick two career goals: One skill-based to take care of yourself and one dream-based to grow your mind.” This philosophy led me to career and technical education as my focus. My passion is to equip our students with day-to-day skills that translate into immediate career prospects while encouraging them to map out a lifelong strategy that takes them through increasingly rigorous levels of education.
Amy Shipp
Athletics Training
Sports Medicine
ashipp@qcusd.org
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Amy Shipp
Athletics Training
About Me
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Aleah Shook
Agriculture Education
FFA Advisor
CASE Certified Instructor
ashook@qcusd.org
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Aleah Shook
Agriculture Education
About Me
I am from Yuma, Arizona, and I have spent the last four years down in Tucson! I am now the new girl in town to Queen Creek! I was a member of FFA all four years of high school, and upon graduation, I was the 2014-2015 Arizona FFA State Vice-President.
Educational/Professional Background
I graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in agricultural education and a minor in animal science.
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
My educational philosophy is that every student that leaves my program will have the social, professional, and life skills needed to be successful in life. I truly believe in the FFA motto, "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve!" I am excited for a great year!
Kyle Spitler
Stagecraft
ITS Advisor
kspitler@qcusd.org
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Kyle Spitler
Stagecraft
About Me
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
Kaitlyn Williams
Fashion Design
Culinary
FCCLA Advisor
kwilliams@qcusd.org
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Kaitlyn Williams
Fashion Design
About Me
Hi! I'm Kaitlyn Williams! I'm a Utah native and just graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in family and consumer science education. My husband will attend ASU Law School this fall, which is what brought me to AZ. I am very passionate about everything that has to do with FACS, especially sewing and fashion. I am very excited to tackle my first year of teaching at Queen Creek High School!
Educational/Professional Background
Educational and School Counseling Philosophy
QCUSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
TOYBOX Preschool is located on the west side of Queen Creek High
School campus. It is staffed with one full time director, one full time preschool
teacher, one part time worker, one part time student worker, and high school students
enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) class.